An own goal from substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz in second-half stoppage time earned Iran all three points against Morocco in the opening game in Group B.
Below are four talking points from the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg.
1. Different approaches from Morocco and Iran
The pre-match talk ahead of this encounter focused on both teams’ defensive records: Morocco conceded zero goals in their final six qualifiers in Africa, while Iran kept clean sheets in nine of their 10 games in the last stage of the Asian qualification process. That suggested the two sides would be taking similar approaches here, but their styles were in fact rather different.
Morocco came flying out of the traps, pushing both full-backs forward and playing sharp, snappy football. They passed and moved quickly, each player taking no more than two touches on the ball, and looked to press high up the pitch when they lost it.
Iran, conversely, sat deep and showed little interest in competing for possession; when they did force turnovers, they raced forward quickly and attempted to exploit the space left behind by Morocco. The two different approaches made for an interesting encounter, even if clear-cut chances were at a premium.
2. Morocco start fast but run out of steam
Morocco were extremely bright in the opening 20 minutes, popping the ball around at speed and making Iran do plenty of running. An attacking quartet of Hakim Ziyech, Moubarak Boussoufa, Younes Belhanda and Amine Harit interchanged neatly, while Ayoub El Kaabi’s willingness to run in behind gave the man in possession a different option.
Herve Renard’s men failed to make the breakthrough while they were on top, however, and their attacking play rather fizzled out thereafter. Ziyech stung the palms of Alireza Beiranvand with a well-struck volley in the second half, but Morocco produced little else of note in the final third. Their pressing eased off too, and they were punished in dramatic fashion late on.
3. Iran solid and focus on counter-attacks and set-pieces
Iran looked a little flustered early on here, and it was notable that they looked to slow the game down when the ball went out of play in an attempt to take the sting out of Morocco’s fast attacking. They did compose themselves midway through the first half, though, and began to look dangerous when racing into space in behind their opponents’ adventurous full-backs.
Iran countered with incision and won a number of free-kicks when Morocco were forced to make fouls, which suited Carlos Queiroz’s men given the importance they place on set-pieces. Iran were keen to put the ball in the box whenever possible – Vahid Amiri’s long throws were also a feature – and it was from a free-kick that they won the game late on.
4. Iran now have hope, but Morocco up against it
A goalless draw would have suited neither team, with Spain and Portugal already overwhelming favourites to progress from Group B. Iran’s late goal means they only need one more victory to surely qualify for the round of 16, and even another point could be enough depending on other results.
Morocco, meanwhile, have everything to do. The North Africans were tipped as the side most likely to challenge the two European heavyweights, but a first-round exit now looks inevitable.
